Kevin Hughes

Mitchells A and Pot Black have booked their places in the Knockout Cup semi-finals, with Gervins B set for a quarter-final tie against Max Keady A and McKees A set to travel to their own B team,

The trip to south Armagh was the reward for the promising youthful Coalisland B team, who defeated Max Keady B 3-1 at Plater’s Hill. First up Ryan Morrow lost narrowly to Stevie Taylor, while Shea Fee, Chris Maye and Mal O’Neill all won.

In the other preliminary tie, McKees A inflicted more pain on Mitchells INF whose form has slumped worryingly. Terry Dunlop edged the verdict over Brendan McLarnon but Damien McBride, Colm Kelly and Owen McKee saw the Gortgonis men ease into an appetising derby contest.

Niall Tennyson returned to league action in the Mitchells derby and he beat Ryan Robinson, but the A progressed via Paul McGuckin, Brian Milne via a fluked black against Peter Loughran and Joe Loughran.

Patrick Wallace won 2-0 over McVeigh A’s Kieran Corr to put Pot Black ahead. Wallace had breaks of 36 and 66, then began the second with twelve reds and eleven blacks before missing in trying to disturb the last three reds. Dermot Loughran won in straight frames v Danny McVeigh, but both frames were decided on the last ball. Long pots on pink and black won the opener and an excellent blue was the key shot to also pinch the second.

Peter Reilly clinched the match win by beating John McArdle 2-0. Reilly won the first comfortably and, ten behind, cleared from last two reds to blue to take the second.

Jerome McVeigh claimed a consolation win for the visitors by beating Mickey Quinn, 2-0. The McVeighs captain sank the final black to lead 1-0 and ran away with the second with the aid of a 36 break.